A former ITN News at Ten boss is to edit the BBC Ten O'Clock News bulletin after the election.

Mark Popescu, who joined the BBC three years ago from ITN where he was output editor, is to replace Jonathan Baker.

His appointment could signal a new approach for the Ten O'Clock News, which will be plunged into a fierce ratings battle when ITV brings back News at Ten in January.

Mr Baker is moving to be World News editor, where he will manage high-profile BBC correspondents including Kate Adie and John Simpson. Mr Baker replaces Jenny Baxter, who is becoming production editor for newsgathering.

A BBC spokeman said Mr Popescu would not move to his Ten O'Clock News job until after the general election, which is expected in the spring, because it was a tough time for a new editor to take over such a key bulletin.

A BBC spokesman said: "We don't want to rock the boat before the election".

Mr Popescu joined the BBC in 1997 where he worked on News 24 and the relaunch of the Six O'Clock News.

The news comes amid speculation that the BBC is about to announce a replacement for its head of news, Tony Hall, who is thought to be close to accepting a job as head of the Royal Opera House.